How to tell if original 1968 C10 bigblock 396 truck?

[HeavyHauler]

I have purchased a 1968 Chevy C10 shortbed. On the SPID it lists the 396 bigblock engine with 400 turbo transmission.

Are there some other things to look for to verify that the truck did come with a 396 bigblock?

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by HeavyHauler

I have purchased a 1968 Chevy C10 shortbed. On the SPID it lists the 396 bigblock engine with 400 turbo transmission.

Are there some other things to look for to verify that the truck did come with a 396 bigblock?

There are "gobs" of things to look for, but the SPID is pretty definitive.. If the VIN on the SPID matches the truck's VIN, that should be proof enough...

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

The block has a part number and date stamp located near the transmission housing. You can even search the part number to see what years it was installed in. The date stamp should be approx. 1 month before the truck was built.

The truck may still have a build sheet too. They're generally located underneath or behind the seat.

[RenoKeene]

On my 70 = Bolt in trans hump cover, remote PS reservoir, 4 row radiator, duel exhaust, heat shield under passenger floor, BB motor mounts.

[68Gold/white]

The frame is narrower in the area of the exhaust manifolds are, for clearance...the edges should look like the factory made it that way...although someone could do that and make it look factory also....I guess...

[Mike C]

Open hood. Check for big block?

In all seriousness is there a motor? Short pump? Motor mount stands with the large hole in the center.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

The frame is narrower in the area of the exhaust manifolds are, for clearance...the edges should look like the factory made it that way...although someone could do that and make it look factory also....I guess...

Learn something new everyday. Interesting.

[saxart]

Originally Posted by HeavyHauler

I have purchased a 1968 Chevy C10 shortbed. On the SPID it lists the 396 bigblock engine with 400 turbo transmission.

Are there some other things to look for to verify that the truck did come with a 396 bigblock?

Wow... An original '68 short bed with a big block? Isn't that every forum member's dream truck?


Nice score.....Let's see some pics!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by saxart

Wow... An original '68 short bed with a big block? Isn't that every forum member's dream truck?


Nice score.....Let's see some pics!

OT: Through some earlier research appears the only 68 Camaro that came with a BBC was the SS model. I believe they also had high performance cast iron heads.

Less probably the HP heads, you drive a 68 SS truck

[CG]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

The frame is narrower in the area of the exhaust manifolds are, for clearance...the edges should look like the factory made it that way...although someone could do that and make it look factory also....I guess...

In all my years on the board I have never heard/read this. Ill definitely wait to hear multiple members confirming this.

[Mike C]

On the first big block trucks they did cut the frame back. On 69-72 frames the edge is bent up for clearance. Not sure at what point they switched over on that? One of the challenges of 67-68 big block swaps. That and the clearance for the power steering box.

[68bowtie]

I think it’s all been covered. Mine has thinner frame sections up front, but I’m not 100% positive these corner edges are the difference? I only have a sbc c30 to compare to and it doesn’t have these...

How about some pictures???

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by CG

In all my years on the board I have never heard/read this. Ill definitely wait to hear multiple members confirming this.

Coincidentally, I just installed this today. Can't speak for SBC, but that clearance strikes me as necessary on a BBC. BTW, this is a 71 C-10. My 72 BBC C20 has the same cut-out.

[CG]

Crazy ... Never seen it before. Might be because I hadn't had a big block truck that was stock before. Love to see more about this.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

I think it’s all been covered. Mine has thinner frame sections up front, but I’m not 100% positive these corner edges are the difference? I only have a sbc c30 to compare to and it doesn’t have these...

How about some pictures???

Attachment 1891573

Attachment 1891574

My frame looks just like that except its dirty. Factory 402.

[Ozark Tim]

Also do you have the original protecto plate? If so the engine, transmission, and differential codes are on the plate (stamped into the steel by GM)as well as the vin so you can confirm its the correct plate for the truck. If then you cant identify the engine code that is on the protecto plate there are listings and people here on the forum that can look up your findings

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by CG

In all my years on the board I have never heard/read this. Ill definitely wait to hear multiple members confirming this.

Oh, Ye of little faith!!!

I have owned my 68 Golden LWB 396 pickup since 1980. I will be making measurements one day to compare to small block and 6 banger pickups, and post here...maybe this summer.

I learned this here!!!

In the build section, there's a thread, 67 Plane Jane 396 build, on posts 52 and 53 he is cutting his frame for clearance...

My 68 is crammed in my garage, I am curious exactly how my frame is modified...

Post some pictures; we like pictures and without them, the truck does not exist.

[67_C-30]

I found out the need for the BBC clearance when I put the diesel in my ‘67 C-30 dually. I had seen a couple of them in later trucks, and the guys said they were a bolt in deal. After about the 3rd time of trying to shoe horn it my I realized the on my ‘67 was wider than all of the other trucks I had. I had 2 BBC trucks here and at that time, and I immediately saw the problem. I had to cut mine like the BBC’s and the diesel slipped right on in.

[CG]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Oh, Ye of little faith!!!

I have owned my 68 Golden LWB 396 pickup since 1980. I will be making measurements one day to compare to small block and 6 banger pickups, and post here...maybe this summer.

I learned this here!!!

In the build section, there's a thread, 67 Plane Jane 396 build, on posts 52 and 53 he is cutting his frame for clearance...

My 68 is crammed in my garage, I am curious exactly how my frame is modified...

Yes its very odd to me, but it happens. Just when you feel like you get to be a 67-72 know it all ... you get knocked down haha!

[stsalvage]

this was one Area I stayed away from when I was out buying trucks back in 1987--1996 It really did not matter if the truck came with a big block or not. My 1968 longhorn has a 396 in it with a th400 with AC. When I was buying car's for the AUS and Fin land they were only looking for certain car's No trucks. I'm a working man that's all I bought back in 1989--98. I love coming across them 1964--66 3 ton C60 Box trucks and Bobtails I bought 3 of them in 1 month for less than 300.00. I bought over 57 chevy trucks from 1989--2003 1950--72

[HeavyHauler]

I finally got the truck home and will try to find out how to post pics tomorrow. There are two silver door tags located in the driver side door jamb and the VIN on that matches the SPID in the glove box and I did check for VIN stamped into the driver side of the frame in engine compartment and they match the last 8 digits of the VIN also. The numbers all match what is on the title so everything checks out. I can also verify that my frame rail is narrower near where the exhaust area of the truck is and it has a rather very big factory radiator. The trans floor hump in the interior also looks raised as well. All seems to check out that the truck is original black in color, red interior with four barrel 396 bigblock and Turbo 400 transmission.

[68Gold/white]

I'm just bringing this one to the top, mostly because it's an original big block, which is not that common...(some thread here, months ago some guy was touting that big block pickups were pretty common. In the 68-72's, I've almost never seen any that were...)

AND was wondering, about what some of the posters, that were not completely believing about the narrow "big block" frame thought....

[65standard]

Maybe they all have this frame narrowing on later years. My 1970 250 has something like that.

[68Gold/white]

Thanks 65, that's interesting...